A Unique Brand That Stands Out
"I'm Anita Palacios, 38 years old and co-founder of Maium. Our brand started around ten years ago with just one coat in two colors: black and white. Today, we offer a collection of fifty styles and continue to grow," Anita begins. "As a founder, you do everything. Especially in a small team of three to four people, you're involved in every aspect. It’s very hands-on, which I love, but it can also be tough.”

Anita’s background is in design. "I studied at an art academy and worked for other brands for ten years before starting Maium. Designing is truly my passion. The creative process—like conceptualizing a collection and organizing photoshoots—remains the most enjoyable part of my work. It’s amazing to expand and refine the collection each year.”

Maium distinguishes itself by blending functionality with aesthetics. “Our coats have unique features, like side zippers that let you transform them into ponchos,” Anita explains. “This makes them perfect for cycling because your legs stay dry. This innovative design adds a technical edge while keeping the coats stylish. As a result, our collection is found more in boutiques than in sporting or bike stores, which aligns perfectly with our ambition.”

Sustainability is central to Maium. “Our coats are made from recycled polyester, and we aim to get as many people as possible on bicycles. We see cars—not other brands—as our competition. We don’t always communicate explicitly about sustainability, because it’s such an integral part of who we are.”

Top Sellers and Challenges
“Our ‘Original’ coat is by far our biggest bestseller,” Anita says. “It was our very first design and remains our top seller. We number our coats, and number 1 is still number 1. It’s a timeless coat that proves you don’t need to reinvent the wheel every season. I don’t believe in designing new trench coats every year just to stay relevant. We build our collection piece by piece, without offering too many different items. This creates a consistent and strong lineup.”

Not every experiment is a success, however. “Our kids’ collection, for instance, turned out to be a challenge. Competing on price and development costs with established brands is tough. Kids’ coats cost the same to produce as adult ones, but you can’t sell them at the same price. Plus, it requires a different focus and branding approach. We might revisit it in the future, but only with a full team behind it.”

Tips for Entrepreneurs
Anita emphasizes the importance of a strong foundation and unique features for success. “Start with something truly different from what’s already out there. The fashion industry is a jungle, and without a distinctive product, survival is tough. Our coats have unique features like the poncho function, and that’s what makes our brand strong. Authenticity is key, as well as having a clear focus. Start with one great product and build from there.”

She also stresses the importance of sustainability. “As an entrepreneur, you should ask yourself how you can make a positive impact. Why are you adding something to the world? That’s a question I always ask myself, and it’s something I want to pass on to other entrepreneurs.”

The Future of Maium
Maium continues to evolve, Anita shares. “We’re expanding our collection with accessories like bike bags and rain hats, but we stay true to our core: functional, timeless designs. Recently, we introduced bags that can be used both as bike panniers and backpacks. Our focus remains on timeless, sustainable designs that make life easier. I believe in our approach and think we have a lot of growth ahead of us.”

Final Tip
“Keep going, even when things get tough,” Anita concludes. “There have been moments where I wondered how we’d ever solve certain problems. But in the end, things work out if you stay positive and follow your passion. Surround yourself with people who support you and push yourself to take one step forward each day. Entrepreneurship isn’t always easy, but it’s absolutely worth it.”

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Source: Textilia